“The attempt to apply rational arithmetic to a problem in geometry resulted in the first crisis in the history of mathematics. The two relatively simple problems -- the determination of the diagonal of a square and that of the circumference of a circle -- revealed the existence of new mathematical beings for which no place could be found within the rational domain.”
Quote by David van Dantzig
Author
David van Dantzig
David van Dantzig was a prominent Dutch mathematician known for his research in algebraic geometry and number theory. He received his education at the University of Göttingen and Leiden University, where he began his academic career. His work has had a profound impact on subsequent mathematicians. more
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Source: Essays on the Theory of Numbers: I. Continuity and Irrational Numbers, II. The Nature and Meaning of Numbers
“I want to know why the universe exists, why there is something greater than nothing.”